The Ownby Home Newly Rehabilitated
Mary and Ray Ownby purchased their Madera home back in 1988, where they raised a beautiful family. “We loved to travel when the kids were young,” said Mary. “My children loved things like deep sea fishing and spending the night in a hotel room, that was fun for us.”

Mary and Ray married when they were in their late teens. Ray was in the military where he served 8 years. He “drove and worked on tanks,” said Mary. It was clear that Ray had a passion for driving large vehicles. Upon leaving the military, he started his career as a bus driver for Greyhound. He later pivoted to driving private charter buses and would spend the next 40 plus years doing so. Mary, on the other hand, worked several years for the City of Madera as a senior site supervisor for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Over the years, however, their home began to deteriorate. The floors had cracks, doors were broken, the roof was weathered. It was time for a facelift. Most importantly, it was time to make it safe and functional. Now in a wheelchair, Mary found it challenging to move around her home with ease. “I knew of Self-Help Enterprises because my father used to work there many, many years ago, so we knew that they could help,'' said Mary. “We’ve been out of our home for 3 months and it hasn’t been easy, but we look forward to just coming back, settling in and relaxing.” Read More.
Did You Know? We Have Lending &
Professional Services

ABOUT OUR LENDING SERVICES
Homeownership in the San Joaquin Valley is often out of reach for many low-income
families because of the high cost of housing, lack of assets or a monthly payment
that is not affordable. To meet the needs of those seeking homeownership, SHE, in
partnership with Valley cities and counties, operates homebuyer assistance programs.
The programs provide the additional financing needed to keep a first mortgage
payment affordable to first-time homebuyers. Low-interest loans for private wells are
also available. SHE helps qualified homeowners access low-interest loans to drill a new
private well, deepen an existing private well or lower a pump in an existing well.

ABOUT OUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Small cities and counties often struggle to develop and maintain the capacity to deliver
housing and infrastructure programs in a competitive funding environment. Because of
these gaps, SHE provides a wide variety of consulting services and technical assistance
throughout our service area. In this role, SHE staff provide expertise and capacity where
otherwise none exists. Notably, these services include monitoring affordable properties,
conducting surveys, developing funding proposals, and developing local guidelines and
procedures to support housing development.

For more information, please contact Juan Jaime at JuanJ@selfhelpenterprises.org.
Emergency Services Presents at 9th Annual Affordable Housing Summit
The 9th Annual San Joaquin Valley Affordable Housing Summit focused on how the San Joaquin Valley is leading the way in creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities. SHE's Emergency Team was pleased to present on "what affordable housing providers should consider when developing a disaster preparedness plan" which included information on:

  • the natural disasters specific to the targeted area such as power outages, earth quakes, floods, fires, landslides or mudslides.
  • how and why residents should recognize barriers with age, language, health, visual, hearing.
  • the resources currently available to residents such as medical access, food, transportation.

The team also covered successes achieved last year with relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic, water-relief, partnerships and work with LISTOS California and much more.
Special Thanks to Kern Family Health Systems
A big thank you to Kern Family Health Systems for their contribution of $2,000 towards Kern Kids: Happy and Healthy. The Kern Health Systems’ Community Grant Program awards financial grants to local non-profit organizations devoted to improving the lives of Kern County residents.

Grant funds supported the distribution of 1,992 breakfast and lunch meals to kids and young teens during the summer at no cost to families. Daily meals were available to the entire community at three of SHE’s rental housing communities in Kern County: North Park, Solinas Village and Rancho Lindo.

"Kern Health Systems is a great partner," said Kari Ludvickson, SHE Housing Specialist. "They actively support our efforts to promote healthy families and communities in our rural Kern County."
Upcoming Events
SEQUOIA COMMONS II GRAND OPENING & DEDICATION OF THE GRACIELA MARTINEZ COMMUNITY CENTER

On Friday, October 8th, Self-Help Enterprises will celebrate the completion of 60-unit Sequoia Commons II, our newest affordable rental community in Goshen.
 
The celebration will also serve to commemorate the legacy of long-time Goshen community advocate, Graciela Martinez, by naming the community center in her honor. In addition to serving many years as a SHE board member, Graciela spent a lifetime advocating on behalf of farmworkers and low-income people of the San Joaquin Valley. She passed on August 1, 2020, at age 75.
ANNADALE RESOURCE FAIR & PUMPKIN PATCH

On Saturday, October 9th from 12-2pm, Self-Help Enterprises will host a Resource Fair and Pumpkin Patch for the Southwest Fresno Community to celebrate the completion of active transportation improvements on East Annadale Avenue.

The improvements will help to connect residents to community resources like the West Fresno Elementary and Middle Schools, Clinica Sierra Vista, and the Mary Ella Brown Community Center. 

Families living in southwest Fresno are encouraged to stop by, pick up a free pumpkin, and learn about community and transportation-related organizations.